Page - 9 - in options, Volume summer 2019

Science into policy Written by: Katherine Leitzell Europe’s new climate strategy draws on IIASA research In November 2018, on the eve of the Katowice Climate Summit in Poland, the European Commission unveiled an ambitious and aspirational new climate strategy that aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The strategy — which draws on IIASA research — calls for major transformations in the transportation, building, energy, and agriculture and forestry sectors. The plan aims to position Europe as a leader in the global effort to limit climate change to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and provides the building blocks to achieve this challenging goal. In addition, the commission released a 393-page document containing analyses of policies, technologies, and investments, as well as cross- cutting analyses of trade-offs and co-benefits. It is intended to serve as a blueprint for member countries as they develop their own plans under the Paris Agreement. As with earlier EU climate strategies, IIASA research was integral to the design of the new strategy. IIASA researcher Lena Höglund Isaksson and colleagues from the Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases Program provided mitigation pathways and costs for non-CO2 emissions, which include methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases from various sources, including energy, industry, agriculture, and waste in the 28 EU countries. Their analysis relied on the Greenhouse Gas - Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model, which is a framework designed to assess the costs and co-benefits of air pollution and greenhouse gas reduction policies. A second IIASA team, led by Ecosystems Services and Management Program researcher Stefan Frank, provided an analysis of mitigation potential from land use, land use change, and the forestry sector using the IIASA Global Biosphere Management Model (GLOBIOM) and the Global Forest Model (G4M). Their analysis highlighted the importance of agriculture and forestry in achieving the European climate targets. Further info: www.iiasa.ac.at/news/EC-Strategy-18 Lena Höglund Isaksson: hoglund@iiasa.ac.at Stefan Frank: frank@iiasa.ac.at WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES HALF A DEGREE MAKE? GLOBAL COMMITMENTS FALL OF CLIMATE TARGETS IIASA WATER RESEARCH INFORMS MAJOR UN ENVIRONMENT REPORT In a new policy brief, IIASA scientists lay out the differences between 1.5°C and 2°C of climate change. Their analysis shows that avoiding half a degree of global temperature rise could halve the number of people who may be exposed to multisectoral climate risks. The policy brief provides a clear explanation of recent research results to help inform policy. www.iiasa.ac.at/policybrief/21 IIASA researchers contributed to the 2018 UN Emissions Gap Report. After staying constant for several years, greenhouse gas emissions rose again in 2018. The report shows that efforts must be tripled to limit climate change to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. To meet the more ambitious target of 1.5°C, five times the current reduction commitments will be needed. www.iiasa.ac.at/news/UNEP-18 The Global Environment Outlook from the UN Environment Program draws on hundreds of scientists worldwide to assess the current status of the environment. In the latest edition of the report released this winter, IIASA researchers led two chapters that highlight the need for integrated solutions related to water and other environmental concerns. www.iiasa.ac.at/news/GEO6-report-19 www.iiasa.ac.at 9OptionsSummer 2019